Silicone hose lifespan

[FlyinTiger]

What is the duration of the silicone hoses? My hoses appear to be original, but was wondering what the warning signs of age. I ordered a NOS upper from PPI, just because it was on sale ( I sound like my wife ), but was not sure whether to install it or wait until the originals go bad.

[Mustang Matt]

Back when they were sold through the Motorsports catalogs they were advertised as lifetime. You cant go wrong holding onto NOS parts so if you are content with the way yours look then I would hold on to them for now.

[ImEvil1]

+1. I'd hold onto it and wait. I've heard that the silicone hoses aren't really any more durable than the regular hoses, but I'm not sure that anyone has proven this with any certainty. I'm replacing the ones on my '93 FHP car, but it's for cosmetic reasons.

[1989 Tx DPS SSP]

They dont like Battery Acid. My88 had a Leaky Battery and put a pinhole leak in a Newer Hose .:eek:


Tom

[EXNODRAMANOTCH]

I put Ford Motorsport Blue Silicone Hoses on my 86 Mustang GT in 1990 when it had 16k miles. It now has 33k miles and no sign of hose failure. So mine have lasted 17k miles in 19 years. I also have a NOS blue hose set in the wings for whichever of my three 86s may require them in the future.

[1992b4c]

It has been my experience that they will last a lifetime of the car. As mentioned before, battery acid is the only thing that I have seen that will kill them.

[FlyinTiger]

Hearing the responses, I will most likely leave it alone until I detail the engine. I was questioning the hoses, as I have a faint coolant smell that I have not found the source to yet.

[FHP813]

I have a faint coolant smell that I have not found the source to yet.
Do a pressure test on the system. Both my cars had leaks, one was from the water pump, the other was the radiator and the timing cover.

[jarhed123]

When I restored FHP0293 it still had the original hoses. I cleaned them up with degreaser and 000 steelwool and are still on the car after 23 years. They look almost new.